The effect of multiple scattering on velocity profiles measured using Doppler OCT

In this paper we investigate the effect of multiple scattering on Doppler optical coherence tomography (DOCT) images of model blood vessels embedded in a medium with optical properties similar to those of the human dermis. Furthermore, we quantify the deviation of the acquired velocity profiles from that known to exist within a glass capillary at various depths within the scattering media. A flow phantom consisting of a glass tube containing whole blood flowing under laminar conditions submerged in a variable depth of Intralipid was used to simulate a blood vessel within the cutaneous microcirculation. DOCT images and velocity profiles of the tube acquired at various depths within the Intralipid are compared with those obtained from the same tube in a non-scattering medium with the same refractive index.